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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. bore — to drill
  4. cue — a signal
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. deal — to handle
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. bore — to tire
  17. cue — for pool
  18. cue — a hint
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. mate — a partner
  22. mate — to breed
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. mate — a friend

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com